DUBUQUE AUDUBON
Peosta, IA
2/24/26
© Mary Leigh
Green Island WMA
3/26/25
© Marty Corfman
Cedar Rapids Airport
2/19/26
© Mary Leigh
Green Island WMA
3/26/25
© Marty Corfman
16th St. Retention Basin Park
3/2/26
© Mary Leigh
Deere Dike Park
3/11/25
© Mary Leigh
Green Island WMA
3/26/25
© Marty Corfman
Deere Dike Park
3/11/25
© Mary Leigh
Welcome!
Anyone interested in birding, nature, or the quality of the environment is welcome to become a member of the Dubuque Audubon Society.
Our tri-state region is a great place for birds, and one of the great things about birds is that you can enjoy them at all levels of involvement. You may be surprised how many different species we have in the area at different times of year and how quickly you can begin to identify many of them once you start looking. (Binoculars help!) Any time of year is a great time to be a birder, and we hope you’ll join us!
Our Mission
The mission of the Dubuque Audubon Society is to provide educational opportunities to the people of the tri-state area and to preserve the natural habitat of birds and other wildlife.
Upcoming Events
© Paul Winer
© Paul Winer
Dubuque Audubon April Program
Warbler Identification Made Easy
Thursday, 4/9/26
6:45 PM Social Time
7 – 8 PM Program
EB Lyons Interpretive Center
8991 Bellevue Heights Road
Dubuque, IA 52003
View Map
Just in time for spring migration, Bob Walton will share some tips and tricks on identifying Warblers! The program will include photographs of the 36 species of warblers that frequent our area, and Bob will present techniques to help make identification easier. He will also discuss ways to improve backyard habitat to attract warblers to our homes.
Walton has a degree in Fish and Wildlife Biology from Iowa State University and was hired as a naturalist by the Dubuque County Conservation Board in 1973 to establish the Swiss Valley Preserve and Nature Center. He retired in 2006 as the Executive Director of the Board.
Calendar of Events
We hold monthly programs from September through May on a variety of topics related to nature and the environment.
We also hold an annual Christmas bird count, an annual Duck Waddle at Green Island (traditionally the 2nd Saturday in March), and an annual spring species count (traditionally the Saturday before Mother’s Day), and we offer additional field trips throughout the year.
You can tailor your birding to your interest and activity level, and all levels of experience are welcome.
Latest Newsletter
Click on image below to view.
Most Recent Posts
Articles
[from winter 2025 newsletter]
Meet the elusive Eastern Screech-Owl. Nocturnal, they roost during the day and hunt at dusk and night. Despite the name, Screech-Owls don’t just screech...
Articles
[from winter 2025 newsletter]
Did you know there are different names for the flocks of birds? You might see a blush of Robins, a charm of Finches, or a confusion of Warblers.
Articles
[from winter 2025 newsletter]
Meet the elusive Eastern Screech-Owl. Nocturnal, they roost during the day and hunt at dusk and night. Despite the name, Screech-Owls don’t just screech...
Articles
[from winter 2025 newsletter]
Did you know there are different names for the flocks of birds? You might see a blush of Robins, a charm of Finches, or a confusion of Warblers.
Bird Counts, Christmas Bird Count, Events
Events
[from winter 2025 newsletter]
On September 21st, Audubon members participated in the annual fall raptor watch at Mines of Spain in Dubuque.
Articles
[from fall 2025 newsletter]
The next time you’re tempted to feed the birds from that bag of bread, think again! You might just be depriving your feathered friends of a broader range of nutrition they’ll need throughout the year.
While bread does contain carbohydrates, bird specialist Dr. David Shealer, Professor of Biology at Loras College in Dubuque, IA, points out that birds also need proteins and fats in their diet...
Articles
[from fall 2025 newsletter]
This summer, I went on a guided bird walk at Cornell Lab of Ornithology's Sapsucker Woods, in Ithaca, NY... During the walk, our guide shared some fun facts about American Goldfinch that make them unusual.
Projects
[from fall 2025 newsletter]
It was another successful season for the bluebirds nesting at the Mines of Spain. This year Tom Davis and Galen Mathis joined me in monitoring 30 bird houses on a weekly basis.
News
As an experiment in 2025, we are going to try creating a separate email list for those who would like more group birding opportunities.
Read more on our “More Birding” Email Sign-up page.
[It has not yet been determined what will happen for 2026.]
Articles of Interest
- Video: Poison Ivy and Parsnip Identification (5:12) (Iowa DNR, Summer 2025)
- How do Birds Keep Themselves Clean? (National Audubon Society, Spring 2025)
- Leave wildlife babies where they belong — In the wild (Iowa DNR, 5/7/25)
eBird
eBird isn’t just a way for you to keep track of the birds you see; it’s a great resource for finding birds you’ve never seen.
Try out the links below to explore Dubuque County in eBird.
Learn about eBird on our Resources page.
Protecting Birds from Window Strikes Day & Night
National Audubon Society articles on efforts to reduce bird collisions:
Dubuque, IA